Assistive technology, also known as adaptive equipment, is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities. Assistive technology is meant to promote independence by helping people perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing, by providing enhancements to, or changing methods of, the technology needed to accomplish these tasks.

 

There are many different devices that fall under the category of assistive technology, including, but not limited to:

• Wheelchairs

• Walkers

• Accessibility Software

• Prosthesis

All of these are used for different disabilities. Assistive technology has been around since as early as March of 1874, and has progressed greatly.  There is at least one kind of AT for each disability.

People with disabilities are often looked down on. "Dependency has a negative social connotation that is challenged by postmodern ideas of dynamic connectivity" (Gibson et all, 2012). Assistive technology is here to change that outlook.